If there is anything we can learn from our revolutionary generation in these weeks leading up to the Fourth of July, it could be--it should be--to focus less on our personal freedom "wants" and invest more time in civic responsibility.

We seemingly jump from crisis to crisis as harsh rhetoric replaces substantive reform. However, the lack of civility certainly apparent today is far from new. In fact, it is as old as our republic and, historically speaking, much tamer.